How much does a cook make in Columbia?
$27,540a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $13.24 an hour or $2,295 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.24
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 202 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,540Median: $27,540Highest 10%: $34,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,540 | $13.24 | |
| 25th | $27,540 | $13.24 | |
| Median | $27,540 | $13.24 | |
| 75th | $30,130 | $14.49 | |
| 90th | $34,580 | $16.63 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Charlotte, NC | $34,600 |
| Charleston, SC | $32,020 |
| Greenville, SC | $30,690 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $29,200 |
| Augusta, GA | $28,490 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $69,820 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,880 |
| Cook | $35,490 |
| Cook | $34,800 |
| Food Server | $31,400 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $31,050 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,260 |
| Dishwasher | $28,180 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,170 |
| Host and Hostess | $23,070 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $13.24 ($27,540 a year).
Do cooks make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $27,540 against $35,880 nationally, 23% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $29,640, so Columbia pays 7% less.
Where does Columbia rank for cook pay?
202 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,540 or less a year; the top 10% make $34,580 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.